Though pursuing any career in the artistic realm can have its downsides, photography offers a viable living for many people in multiple industries. Photography isn’t just limited to fine art prints and school snapshots; rather, photographers work in the realms of commercial, aerial, scientific and news photography, among others. As of May 2011, the highest levels and concentrations of employment were found in the area of professional scientific and technical services, where 37,230 photographers were employed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Though pursuing any career in the artistic realm can have its downsides, photography offers a viable living for many people in multiple industries. Photography isn’t just limited to fine art prints and school snapshots; rather, photographers work in the realms of commercial, aerial, scientific and news photography, among others. As of May 2011, the highest levels and concentrations of employment were found in the area of professional scientific and technical services, where 37,230 photographers were employed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Rewarding and Fulfilling Work

Perhaps one the most salient rewards of being a photographer is the chance to capture unique moments and images on film. Though many types of professional photography exist, they all have the potential to give this type of satisfaction. Whether snapping a stunning family portrait or immortalizing a landmark historical event, photographers get to experience the pleasure of being part of a significant moment. They also create a concrete, long-lasting reminder of that moment in their work, which holds personal or historical significance for their clients.

Creative, Varied, Artistic Work

A photographer’s exact job duties depend on the place of employment, but working as a photographer is generally creative and artistic work. Photographers combine their technical knowledge with an eye for detail and an overarching vision to create polished photos. Many jobs also involve travel -- whether to an exotic island or a local church -- so working as a photographer can be ideal for those who would otherwise feel trapped in a traditional desk job. In addition, photography is a notably marketable artistic medium with a commercial outlet, which is not the case with all types of art, such as sculpture or abstract painting.

Flexible Schedule, Personal Control

Since photography is a career that can depend on snapping photos of particular events or places, it’s not necessarily regulated to a 9-to-5 schedule. This means that photographers have to adapt to nontraditional work times, such as shooting an evening wedding or a spontaneous political protest. However, it also means that photographers enjoy a relatively flexible schedule and personal control over the projects that they take on. This is especially true for self-employed photographers, who made up 63 percent of all working photographers in the country in 2010, according to the BLS.

Interpersonal Interaction

Though photography may seem like a solitary pursuit, creating a career out of taking photos actually requires a fair amount of interaction and collaboration with others. Photographers need to strike up agreements with gallery owners, take directions from supervisors and plan out their schedules when photographing parties and other events for customers. They may work with assistants during shoots and when editing photos in post-production. In addition, they may market their printed photographs and advertise their photography services.

2016 Salary Information for Photographers

Photographers earned a median annual salary of $34,070 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, photographers earned a 25th percentile salary of $23,480, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $52,220, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 147,300 people were employed in the U.S. as photographers.

About the Author

Samantha Ley writes career and education articles for various online publications. She also works in social media management and creates test materials and other educational content for various companies. Ley holds a B.A. in English and Spanish from Kenyon College and an M.Ed. from the University of Virginia.